Page 27

Chapter Nineteen

Aurelia

A xius and Counsel Etta approach me just after breakfast, the high commander’s grizzled face so solemn my heart is sinking before they’ve even drawn me aside into a private room.

“We’ve had messages back from two of the soldiers we sent north,” he says without preamble. “They’ve arrived and integrated into Valerisse’s forces without much questioning.”

My apprehension starts to ease. “That’s good news.”

“Yes. What’s less good is why . It seems she’s had quite an outpouring of support.

Soldiers who were stationed across Lavira, Cotea, Goric, and northern Dariu have all been flooding to join her growing encampment.

There’ve even been significant numbers of Darium civilians from the cities nearest the border offering themselves as infantry. ”

Ah. My heart resumes its plummeting. “All people dedicated to Sabrelle, I assume? ”

Etta grimaces. “It sounds that way.”

“The civilians, almost certainly,” Axius agrees.

“The soldiers… I’m sure a large portion of them are, but others will have gotten caught up in the propaganda from those under Sabrelle’s and Valerisse’s influence.

They haven’t seen very much of you as a ruler.

Many of them know the tribune far better than their empress. They should remember their loyalties?—”

“But it’s human nature to trust those you know better.” I gird myself. “How do our actually loyal forces fare in comparison?”

“I believe we may be significantly outnumbered if it comes to a battle. If we’re relying purely on human strength.”

Who can say how the gods might factor in? Sabrelle has continued to flare up omens in the city at least a few times every day, often followed by contrasting symbols from Elox.

As I absorb that additional bad news, Etta jumps in.

“There is a bright side to the current situation. The shifting of manpower means that there are fewer soldiers monitoring the local forces in Cotea and Goric. Obviously Lavira is essentially occupied, but if we could call on the other territories as I gather you were hoping, it’d be easier for them to act without Valerisse catching on or any local commanders objecting. ”

Because we can’t count on even the commanders who’ve stayed at their posts being loyal to me, especially if I call on the conquered countries to attack Darium soldiers.

“That assumes I can convince them to stick their necks out.” I restrain a sigh. “I was going to consult with Prince Bastien on possibilities for combining gifts, which could give us more of an edge in whatever battles might come. Maybe he’ll also have new ideas on how to appeal to his family.”

Axius nods. “Any strategies you suggest, I’ll do my best to implement them. I just don’t know how much time we’ll have before Valerisse feels secure enough in her position to march.”

I leave the meeting room with those ominous words hanging over me and almost immediately run into Captain Evando in the hallway.

“Your Imperial Highness.” He draws himself to attention and then appears to hesitate. “There was actually something I wanted to speak to you about…”

Great God help me, has some other disaster occurred?

I stop to give him my full attention. “What’s the matter, captain?”

“I’m not sure anything is exactly the matter…

” He pauses as if to think through his words.

“I’m concerned about Prince Neven. I understand you’re relying on him to report on how Sabrelle has been reaching out to her dedicats, and clearly he’s provided valuable insights.

But I’ve noticed—he’s seemed more withdrawn than usual—if Sabrelle realizes he’s been helping you against her wishes, he might be experiencing some ill effects… ”

I study Evando as he trails off. I don’t see anything but genuine worry in his expression. “I hadn’t realized you and Prince Neven had gotten close.”

“I wouldn’t say exactly close. He was coming for the regular training, and I see him around the palace, and—well—I suppose I’ve been thinking about the entire situation rather a lot given recent events.”

A hint of a flush creeps up his neck with his stumbling words. It occurs to me that the captain isn’t that much older than I am, perhaps in his mid-twenties—he must have risen quickly in the ranks. Which speaks well of his abilities, but also means he’s not completely beyond youthful awkwardness.

For all their apparently clashing, perhaps Neven has caught his attention in matters beyond the military .

In any case, he isn’t wrong to be concerned.

“I appreciate you looking out for a colleague,” I say. “I’ve tried to make sure Prince Neven isn’t pushing himself too hard, but I’ll have a more thorough discussion with him the next time we speak. I’d never want him to neglect his own needs.”

Evando bobs his head. “Exactly, Your Imperial Highness. Thank you for listening. I’m sorry if I overstepped.”

He hurries off down the hall as if he’s afraid of what else he might end up blurting out if he lingers.

I end up reaching the library later than I’d planned. Cleric Pierus is just bustling out, a couple of aged volumes clutched in his arms.

He pauses to give me a quick bow. “I continue my studies on your behalf, Empress. So many fascinating developments in these past weeks.”

The eager gleam in his eyes has taken on a bit of a manic quality. With Evando’s remarks about Neven lingering in my mind, I study the cleric carefully.

There’s a sauce stain on his robe as if he dropped food on it and never bothered to change. As bright as his eyes are, dark smudges have started to form in the sallow skin beneath them.

My stomach tightens. “As important as your help has been, Cleric, I’d never ask you to set aside all other concerns. Make sure you’re getting enough rest and looking after yourself, won’t you?”

Pierus’s posture sags slightly. His mouth twists. “My wife has been complaining I’ve barely been home these past several days—but there are so many more records to search through?—”

I hold up my hand to stop him, the tension inside me thickening with the knowledge that I didn’t even realize he has a wife.

“The records will still be here after you take some time with your family. I’m not leading an empire by running all my supporters into the ground.

You deserve a life outside your work. Go home for the rest of the day, enjoy it, and come back fresh tomorrow. ”

The cleric blinks at me as if I’ve spoken a language he doesn’t understand. Then he bows lower, his expression softening. “Thank you, Your Imperial Highness. I’ll do that.” He chuckles. “And my wife will thank you for it too.”

As I head into the vast room with its looming bookcases, most of my guards take up their usual position by the door. Marc trails behind me through the rows of shelves.

Bastien is already paging through a book in the section of Cotean language volumes. He glances up with a smile and a slight narrowing of his eyes when they slide to the former emperor.

He shifts his attention back to me as if Marc isn’t there. “I think this text could be helpful. It details various experiments in combining gifts that were conducted at the School of Entwined Magics. Do you think your grasp of Cotean is solid enough that you’ll be able to read it yourself?”

I take the book from him and contemplate the page it’s open to. My Lavirian and Rionian may be a little shaky, but my tutors ensured I was decently fluent in the languages of Accasy’s most frequent trading partners. And I’ve always been better at deciphering text than spoken words.

I nod. “There are a couple of terms here I’m not totally familiar with, but I think I can piece together the meaning from the context. These are relatively recent experiments?”

“Yes, I think that book is part of the small collection my parents sent along with me when I first arrived.”

Bastien turns back to the shelves of books.

“I hadn’t really bothered with this section before since I assumed I’d already be familiar with the information from my home country.

I didn’t realize…” He touches a gold-gilded spine of aged leather.

“Th ere are texts here that I’ve only heard spoken about back in Cotea.

I think these are the only copies left.” His tone darkens.

“The empire wanted all the best for their personal library.”

Marc folds his arms over his chest. “The empire rules all. Why should any of the outer territories hoard their most precious knowledge for themselves?”

Bastien cuts a glance toward him. “Whichever emperor or empress stole these books could have simply asked for a copy if they only wanted the knowledge. From the amount of dust on them, no one here has read them in decades if not centuries. This was about taking what we considered valuable from us, not spreading information.”

“Perhaps there’s nothing in them of any importance at this point anyway.”

“This one is a record of the reigns of our most prominent rulers from before the Great Retribution. I think many in Cotea would like to be able to reflect back on that time.”

But the empire wouldn’t want them to remember there ever was a time when they ruled themselves.

Marc looks as if he’s bitten his tongue. He shakes himself. “Well, that’s fair enough, but I don’t see how that helps our empress with her current problem. Do you?”

Gazing up at the shelves, inspiration lights in my head with a tickle of exhilaration. “Actually, it might. You said there’s a few ancient volumes here, Bastien?”

He points out three more spines amid the shelves. “Those are all considered lost treasures by the Cotean royal archivists. I don’t think they even realize the empire has them.”

“Then why don’t we restore those treasures to their rightful home? I’d imagine Estera would consider the returning of knowledge to those who’d appreciate it a worthy gesture of support.”

Bastien brightens. “She should. To bring them home after all this time, in defiance of imperial tradition—it ought to count for something.”

His enthusiasm bolsters my own. “And perhaps that would help show your father I’m acting in good faith. Although I don’t suppose getting a few books back will be enough for him to want to send his people into war, no matter how precious those texts are…”

I glance at Marc, but he makes no protest, though his mouth is tight.

My eagerness fades on its own as more practical considerations rise up.

“And we’ll have to think carefully on who could deliver them.

Most Darium citizens would be uncomfortable at the thought of their empress being so generous with the outer territories.

I don’t want to stir up more uneasiness about my rule than already exists. ”

But we’re running out of time for thinking. I can’t be so careful that I ruin my chances to succeeding that way.

Bastien is tapping his fingers against the shelf. “I’m sure we can find a way. You—or I—can write a note using the same trick Father did to convey any other promises you’re comfortable making.”

How much good will a simple note do, though? What promises will the conquered royals believe after so long under the imperial family’s thumb?

I never had the chance to start showing my full intentions before this revolt raised its head.

What I’m comfortable with isn’t the most important consideration, is it? My comfort shouldn’t come from someone else’s misery—not Neven’s, not Pierus’s and his wife’s. It certainly shouldn’t come before the security of all the people under my rule.

Another idea slithers into my thoughts, so obvious and yet so unnerving a chill shivers through my veins .

Pierus isn’t the only one with a family who cares about him.

My stomach bottoms out, but the larger I let the idea grow, the more correct it feels. Even if speaking it makes me want to vomit.

Bastien frowns, his gaze intent on my face. “Is something the matter?”

I steady myself. “No, not at all. An answer that might solve an awful lot of our problems just occurred to me. I think… I think I need to ponder it a little more before I lay it out.”

Clutching the book on combining gifts to my chest, I hurry toward the door. If I ponder my new plan in my lover’s presence for even a second more, I might completely lose my courage to pursue it.